The Blue Blur and the Red Rocket are about to be joined by some new blood in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, but while the upcoming threequel is set to up the ante once again, we're getting a little worried about Shadow the Hedgehog. 

Becoming a surprise hit of 2020, Paramount's Sonic the Hedgehog defied expectations for video game movies with Ben Schwartz as the titular hedgehog. 2022's Sonic 2 proved that bigger is better, adding Idris Elba to the roster and eclipsing the box office takings of its predecessor. The question is, will lightning strike a third time?

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 trailer reportedly shown at CinemaCon

Teased in Sonic 2's post-credit scene, Shadow the Hedgehog is set to be the antagonist of the third movie. Much like we saw Elba's Knuckles become an antihero in the last outing, we expect the gun-toting Shadow will turn good before the final credits roll.

Over on Twitter, the Sonicverse is abuzz after a trailer for Sonic 3 was apparently shown at CinemaCon. Although only short, the trailer reportedly packed in the return of Jim Carrey's Doctor Robotnik, who has piled on the pounds after being defeated and will look more like his video game counterpart.

There's also a fleeting appearance of Knuckles, as well as Sonic and Tails joining him against Shadow - who is just as badass as he is in the game, riding a motorbike. The interesting part is that because Shadow apparently doesn't speak, it's not clear who's playing him.

Casting Shadow could be make or break for Sonic 3

Given the hype surrounding Elba's casting ahead of Sonic 2, and the fact he's gone on to lead his own Knuckles TV series, fans are dying to know who is playing Shadow. Elba was announced in August 2021, ahead of a March 2022 release, meaning many expected Shadow to have been revealed by now.

Alongside fan call for John Wick himself (Keanu Reeves) to play Shadow, there are swirling theories that Star Wars' Hayden Christensen has landed the role. Christensen has faced something of a renaissance since returning to play Anakin Skywalker in Obi-Wan Kenobi, and to be honest, we'd love to see him play Shadow.

There are concerns that Paramount has been holding back Shadow's casting for a reason. Over on Reddit, fans are sharing their own speculation. One sceptic said, "It's going to be Michael Cera or something controversial for a joke," while another added, "Still think Shadow needs to be played by Ben Schwartz using a deeper voice."

Someone even joked it could be Chris Pratt, and at this point, nothing would surprise us. Hopefully, the upcoming Knuckles series is gearing up for its own Shadow post-credit scene and all this secrecy is building toward its own big reveal there.